Chelsea threw her suitcase against the wall and pulled Jada into the chair. With her dark hair flowing down her shoulders and her makeup emphasizing her pretty features, Chelsea seemed a very beautiful lunatic.

“What are you doing?” Jada laughed.

“I want every dirty detail. In fact, the dirtier, the better.”

“Then you’re going to be very disappointed. Adam was a total gentleman.”

“No,” Chelsea sighed and wrapped her arm over her eyes. “I’m so disappointed.”

“Such is life.”

Chelsea sprang up again and scooted closer. “There wasn’t any kind of touching at all?”

“Why are you so nosey?”

“Come on. Give me something.”

“Well,” Jada tapped her chin, “he did put suntan on my back.”

“What?” Chelsea gasped.

“And I held his elbow when we were at the party.”

“This is ridiculous. I’m going to take a shower.” Chelsea got up and headed for the bathroom.

Before she got too far, Jada blurted. “We kissed.”

Her cousin froze and turned slowly around. “What did you say?”

“Nothing special…”

Chelsea squealed and jumped into the sofa. Jada ducked before she was kicked in the head and glared at Chelsea’s exuberance. Her cousin easily ignored her and began peppering her with questions.

“Unbelievable! Is he a good kisser? Was it romantic? Oh, who am I kidding? It’s Adam. Of course it was romantic!”

Jada rolled her eyes, but a smile tipped her lips. She looked to Chelsea to dive into more detail when a ray of sunlight beamed against her cousin’s face. Jada noticed something strange and frowned.

“Chels… is that a bruise?”

Chelsea’s hand immediately covered her left eye and she chuckled. “Stupid makeup. I thought I covered it better.”

Jada’s heart flew to her throat. “What happened?”

“Nothing,” Chelsea said, her eyes skittering away. “I fell.”

“You fell? When?”

“Yesterday. I was dancing because I had the house to myself and then I tripped over my own two feet. My face caught the door handle. It’s no big deal.”

“What?”

“Yeah,” Chelsea said. “It’s embarrassing to admit.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me? Why did you try to cover it up?”  Jada reached her arm out to touch the discolored skin, but Chelsea flinched and leaned away.

“Because I knew you’d act like this. It’s no big deal.”

Jada wasn’t so convinced, but before she could ask any more questions, Chelsea hopped up and headed for the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower. Get some rest. We both have work tomorrow.”

Puzzled, Jada shifted in the chair and watched the blank television screen. Something about her cousin’s behavior seemed off, but if Chelsea wasn’t going to volunteer information, there was nothing Jada could do to pry it out of her.

Dismissing the unsettling feeling that warned there was more to the story, Jada lifted her feet into the couch and pulled out her phone to text Adam. As she waited for his reply, she smiled at the ceiling.

Just thinking about him set her heart to racing. Her leg bounced of its own accord and she placed a hand on her knee to calm the limb down.

To be honest, Jada was glad that Chelsea had gone before she’d had a chance to finish her inquisition. For just a little longer, Jada wanted to hold the memories of her trip to San Pedro close to the chest.

She didn’t quite understand the overwhelming emotions herself.

In the past, Jada kept guys at arm’s length, understanding that things could get complicated and messy if they misunderstood her friendliness and expected more of her heart than she could give.

Rejecting someone’s affections was the most uncomfortable activity in the world and it was something Jada would rather prevent than endure. Allowing Adam past her defenses was a feat in and of itself, but allowing him into her heart… that was unprecedented.

Jada wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knees. She wondered when her feelings had changed, tried to trace back the moments they’d shared to find the one that held the key.

She could pinpoint no specific notch in time. Perhaps it was a culmination of Adam’s kindness and strength. Perhaps the romance of the island setting had tipped her over the edge. Whatever it was, Jada was nearly overwhelmed by her affections.

Feeling restless and a little giddy, Jada walked to the kitchen for a glass of water. When she opened the fridge and pulled out the bottle, she realized that it was empty.

“Chels! Didn’t you go grocery shopping?”

“No!”

Jada sighed and quickly checked the cupboards, taking note of the staples they’d need for breakfast and lunch the next day.

“Hey, Chels!” she cried, heading for the door, “I’ll be right back. I’m going to the grocery store.”

“Take the car!” Chelsea instructed, as the sound of the shower filtered to a stop.

“It’s just down the street!” Jada argued, opening the door. “I’ll be right back.”

The light in the hallway flickered as Jada pranced down the stairs and brushed past the doors. A cool breeze blew against her face and the dim shade of the street lamps strained to light her way.

As she skipped down the sidewalk, Jada noticed a big black car slowing down a few yards ahead. In the next moment, it flew past her and turned the corner. Jada took note of it the way one would aimlessly observe drying paint and then returned to her thoughts.

When would she next see Adam?

Were they officially boyfriend and girlfriend?

Would he kiss her again?

The smile on her face grew and she fanned her cheeks. It was no secret that Jada loved cheesy movies and the thought of doing all the lovey-dovey things she’d seen on television with Adam nearly caused her to combust.

In the background, Jada heard the squeal of tires. Her head whipped up and she spotted a tide of cyclists coming down the street. The SUV driver slowed beside them and drew his window down.

Her hold on her purse grew lax as she recognized the point of a gun poking out of the open window. A charge lit the air and her instincts screamed at her to get out of there.

Ducking her head, Jada ran for cover. The first pop rang out at that moment. The sound grabbed her heart by the throat and shook it firmly. She whimpered and covered the top of her head with her hands, rushing for the nearest shelter.

The cyclists cried out, their voices a choir of pain and fear. The smashing sound of bicycles running into each other, the scrape of metal against concrete and the curses of gang members flew past her, surrounded her, overtook her.

Pop, pop, pop

The SUV let loose a spray of bullets and drove off. Jada stumbled to her knees, shocked as the swarm of cyclists who were still mounted on their bikes took off after the car. The groans of the wounded reached her ears and she pushed up on her arm to stand and assist them.

A shooting pain ricocheted in her shoulder. Jada looked over and saw blood staining the sleeve of her shirt. The sight took a moment to register. When it did, her head grew woozy. The world darkened around her until there was nothing but starlight left.

***

Adam glanced at his phone and then tore his eyes away to focus on the laptop. The code blurred before him and he opened his drawer, searching for his glasses. He plucked the spectacles from their box and fitted the hooks behind his ears.

The glasses did nothing to help.

Adam gave up and pushed away from his desk to grab his cell. Tapping the screen hopefully, he searched for a sign that Jada had responded, but the message icon was nowhere to be seen.

Adam frowned. Jada’s last message spoke of her trip to the store. He’d replied by instructing her to call him when she’d returned home safely. That was fifteen minutes ago. Surely, she was back home by now.

So why hadn’t she called him?

Adam’s finger hovered over the call button as doubts assailed him. He had never been in a committed relationship with a woman. Was it too overbearing to call now? Should he text her again? What if she thought he was controlling?

He bit on his fingernail and then threw his finger down when he realized what he was doing. He’d conquered the nervous habit in his teens and found it disconcerting that it had cropped up again. Trying to shake his nervous jitters, he stood and paced his office.

Why hadn’t she called?

As far as he knew, the heat in her neighborhood had cooled. Maybe she had simply forgotten to respond to him. Maybe Chelsea had taken her phone and refused to return it until they had discussed everything about the weekend. It was a possibility.

Another minute passed. Adam gave up. If she found him overbearing, so be it. He had to make sure she was alright. His finger crashed against the ‘call’ button and he pressed the cell to his ear.

The phone rang and went to voicemail. His concern mounted and he called again. This time, someone answered.

“Oh, Jada. Thank God. I was so worried—”

“Hello?” A male voice said. Immediately, jealousy flared in his stomach.

“Who is this?”

“My name is Rogelio Jacobs, sir. Are you Ms. Jada Penner’s guardian.”

“What?” Adam straightened. “What happened? Where’s Jada?”

“She’s at the Medical Center, sir. Can you please come down here—”

“I’m coming!” Adam flew out of his office. “Is she alright? Is Jada okay?”

“Well…”

“Hey, Adam!” Winston appeared from his bedroom. “I’m hungry. Should we order pizza?”

Adam absently grabbed his wallet and threw cash at his brother. Holding the phone with his left hand while he grabbed his keys with his right, Adam yelled into the phone.

“How is she?”

“Sir, all will be explained when you arrive. Thank you.”

“Wait!”

The phone died in his ear. Adam cursed and raced to his car, throwing it into drive and skating out of the parking lot. His mind buzzed with horrid possibilities and he chased them away with all of his might.

Jada had to be alright. She had to be.

Somehow, Adam managed to park his car in the hospital lot without crashing into anything and made it inside to the receptionist.

Breathing hard, he leaned over the counter and cried. “I’m looking for Jada Penner. Where is she?”

The woman flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Who are you, sir?”

“I’m…” he hesitated and then lifted his chin. “I’m her boyfriend.”

The woman nodded and directed him to the right floor. Adam ran to the elevator, his eyes skimming the white painted walls and black waiting chairs making up a large portion of the hospital.

His foot tapped the tiled floor until the elevator stopped. Urgency propelled him down the hallway to the right door.

“23, 23, 23…”

Adam froze before the wooden bracket that proudly displayed the number. His heart thudded in his chest and he licked his lips, trying to swallow past a throat that had tightened in fear.

His hands darted out to push the door and as his fingertips made contact with the cold metal, fear struck him so hard he dropped the knob and stepped back. Jada meant the world to him, and Adam honestly didn’t know how he would handle seeing her in pain.

At last he gathered his composure and opened the door. The scent of medication and air freshener mingled in a strange combination. His eyes caught the only cot that was occupied and he stepped closer to the figure lying there.

Jada’s beautiful brown eyes were closed and her lips were pursed in sleep. In what he hoped was sleep. Her shoulder was bound and slung in a band that crooked her elbow. She moaned and her brow furrowed.

Adam’s fury rose swiftly. Whoever did this to the woman he loved would die by his hands. He’d make sure of it.